15+ Most Commonly Used Arduino Sensors, Their Functions, and Applications
What are Arduino sensors, and how do they work?
Arduino sensors are fundamental components that enable Arduino boards to interact with the physical world by detecting changes in the environment.
These sensors convert various physical phenomena, such as temperature, light, sound, and motion, into electrical signals that can be processed by Arduino microcontrollers.
Table of Contents
Most commonly used Arduino sensors, their functions, and applications
Here are the lists of some commonly used Arduino sensors, their functions and applications:
1. Temperature and Humidity Sensor:
Temperature and humidity sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used for measuring ambient temperature and humidity levels.
- Applications: Environmental monitoring, weather stations, climate control systems.
- Example: DHT11 or DHT22 sensors.
2. Ultrasonic Sensor:
ultrasonic sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect distances by emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.
- Applications: Object detection, obstacle avoidance, proximity sensing.
- Example: HC-SR04 sensor.
3. Light Sensor:
Light Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect light levels, allowing for automatic dimming or control of lighting systems.
- Applications: Ambient light sensing, robotics, smart lighting solutions.
- Examples: LDR and BH1750 sensors.
4. Sound Sensor:
Sound sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect sound levels and variations.
- Applications: Noise monitoring, voice recognition, clap-activated switches.
- Example: KY-038 and LM393 sensor.
5. PIR (Passive Infrared) Motion Sensor:
PIR (Passive Infrared) Motion Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detects motion through infrared radiation changes.
- Applications: Security systems, automatic lighting, motion-activated devices.
- Example: HC-SR501 sensor.
6. Pressure Sensor:
Pressure Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to measure air or liquid pressure.
- Applications: Weather monitoring, altitude measurement, level gauges.
- Examples: BMP180 or BMP280 sensors.
7. Gas Sensor:
Gas Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect gas concentrations for air quality monitoring.
- Applications: Leak detection, safety systems.
- Examples: MQ-2 sensors.
8. GPS Sensor:
GPS Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to determine geographical location.
- Applications: Navigation, tracking, location-based projects.
- Example: NEO-6M sensor.
9. Touch Sensor:
Touch Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect touch or proximity without physical contact.
- Applications: Interactive surfaces, touch-sensitive controls.
- Example: TTP223 sensor.
10. Soil Moisture Sensor:
Soil Moisture Sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to measure the moisture content of soil.
- Applications: Irrigation systems, gardening, agriculture.
- Example: YL-69 or HL-69 sensor.
11. Color Sensor:
Color sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect colors for various applications.
- Applications: Line-following robots, color sorting, mood lighting.
- Examples: TSL2561 and TCS3200 sensors.
12. Gyroscope Sensor:
L3G4200D Triple-Axis Gyro - Credit: ThinkRobotics
- Function: It is used to measure angular velocity and rotation.
- Applications: Robotics, orientation sensing, stabilization.
- Example: L3G4200D sensor.
13. Rain Detection Sensor:
Rain sensor - Credit: RandomNerdsTutorials
- Function: It is used to detect the presence of rain or water droplets.
- Applications: Weather monitoring, automatic rain protection systems.
- Example: FC-37 or YL-83 sensor.
14. IR Remote Control Receiver:
TSOP1738 IR sensor - Credit: CircuitBasics
- Function: It is used to receive and decode infrared signals from remote controls.
- Applications: Remote control systems, home automation.
- Example: TSOP1738 sensor.
15. Proximity Sensor:
VCNL4000 proximity sensor - Credit: SparkFun
- Function: It is used to detect the presence or absence of an object in close proximity.
- Applications: Touchless interfaces, object detection, collision avoidance.
- Example: VCNL4000 sensor.
16. Accelerometer:
ADXL345 Digital inclination Acceleration sensor - Credit: Hub360
- Function: It is used to measure acceleration in three axes.
- Applications: Motion sensing, tilt detection, gesture recognition.
- Example: ADXL345 sensor.
